Kóblic is a Spanish foreign language film set in Argentina during the 1977 military dictatorship.
The film follows the main character Kóblic, who prior to disobeying orders and becoming a fugitive was a pilot and captain in the Argentine army.
To evade military powers, he decides to hide out in a small town in Patagonia before he and his wife can flee from Argentina.
Kóblic touches any many themes surrounding the Argentine Dirty Wars and life in rural Argentina under past military-junta rule.
Synopsis
Kóblic centers around it’s main character whom was once a decorated pilot and captain in the Argentine navy.
After refusing to follow orders during a mass body drop over the Atlantic Ocean, Kóblic is relieved of his duty and goes on the run. In hopes to find a way out of the country he meets an old friend and colonel from the navy who has since retired.
Together they form a prospective escape plan which involves Kóblic staying at his farm for a couple weeks before being able make a safe break out of the country.
However, while staying in the small town the local sheriff becomes suspicious of the mysterious stranger staying at the farm.
The remainder of the film follows Kóblic as he tries to maintain a low-profile while dealing with the unforeseen complications his arrival has on the people close to him in the small town.
Important Themes
For many the 1976-1983 military dictatorship was a pivotal time for the country. The era known as the Dirty Wars period can be compared to the mass conflict and authoritarian reign of the Perón dictatorship in the 1940’s and 50’s.
During both time frames everything was under military control and those critical of the governing regime were deemed as enemies of the state.
Many of these individuals were either held in labour camps, prisons, institutions or mysteriously disappeared. Many of people termed the disappeared or “los desaparecidos” in fact were rounded up by the military and killed. With the most popular method of death being dropped at high altitudes from airplanes over the Atlantic Ocean.
To this day there are still thousands of families who do not know what happened to their loved ones and still have them listed as missing.
This is a common theme with many countries in the South American region including countries like Uruguay and Chile. To read more on los desaparecidos in Chile see my post on the film No starring Gael Garcia Bernal.
Estimates hold that
over 30,000 Argentines were “disappeared” between 1976 and 1983. During the seven years of military rule, a state terrorism campaign saw the establishment
of concentration camps, the mass murder of students and targeted assassinations
of intellectuals.
Political freedom was strangled in an attempt to assert martial law. And millions in the country suffered under rule until 1983 when generals were forcibly pushed out of power after mass public engagement.
Political freedom was strangled in an attempt to assert martial law. And millions in the country suffered under rule until 1983 when generals were forcibly pushed out of power after mass public engagement.
Moreover, Kóblic focuses on the main
character as he comes to terms with his past actions. Throughout the film Kóblic
has flashbacks of piloting flights, sending
those brought on to the plane plummeting to their deaths over the Atlantic. Also as the main character is a military defector, the viewer is able to
see just how taboo and unspoken many issues were at the time of the
dictatorship.
Certain topics were not talked about freely and many had to stifle their beliefs. Which was even more common in rural towns in the South close to the locations of concentration and labour camps.
Certain topics were not talked about freely and many had to stifle their beliefs. Which was even more common in rural towns in the South close to the locations of concentration and labour camps.
Conclusion
Altogether Kóblic is a great film that touches on
a dark period in Argentine history.
I enjoyed the narrative of the film and the subtle paranoia conveyed throughout the film.
It allowed for a life-like atmosphere to evolve over the course of the film leading to a successful all-around production.
Kóblic is certainly a film that you won’t want to miss.
It tells a unique take on an historical period, involves a sharp dose of drama, misdirection and packs a fair dose of emotion. Everything you would want out of a good South American thriller.
I enjoyed the narrative of the film and the subtle paranoia conveyed throughout the film.
It allowed for a life-like atmosphere to evolve over the course of the film leading to a successful all-around production.
Kóblic is certainly a film that you won’t want to miss.
It tells a unique take on an historical period, involves a sharp dose of drama, misdirection and packs a fair dose of emotion. Everything you would want out of a good South American thriller.
